How a simple walk got me into the Top 20..?

I talk a lot about being in the Top 20 or striving to get into the Top 20.....

This term "Top20" is from a set of business statistics that highlight how only 20% of businesses are successful (ie. really making good money and thriving).

And the sad reality is that while 20% are successful there is the 80% that are NOT. (80% = 60% getting by and 20% struggling)

These are stats that I learned during a business conference in 2012 and hold true today.

Ultimately the definition of "successful" will vary depending on what you are trying to achieve (in business and life) so consider the term "Top 20" aimed at you if you are not happy with the results you are achieving at the moment.

Aiming to be in the Top 20 is about constantly learning, adapting and pushing you and your business to where you want it to be. 

What I find is that so much you learn in life can help your business and so much you learn in business can be used in life....

So how did a simple walk get me into the Top 20...?

So at the start of January I signed up to run 100km in the month using my Strava APP to track progress. In total there are over 2 million members of this Strava Club.

So by Sunday (31st January) evening I had completed 111 km and was Ranked 310,217.....

Clearly the difference between the very top and my position was huge but I was pleased that firstly I had completed the target of 100km and made the top 14%... 

With the job done and I could settle down to watch the footy with a Take Away....... I couldn't be arsed to do any more activity and it was raining.

However, whenever I hear myself saying I "CBA" I start to ask myself why not...? 

So I decided that rather than driving to get the Take Away I would walk (and put it on Strava)..... 

One kilometer later I was back at home with the Take Away and amazingly I had gone up 4,000 places. (I appreciate that walking to get a take away probably wasn't within the idea of doing 100 kms and keeping fit 😀 but it was better than driving.)

I was fascinated by this and decided I'd take another stroll just before going to bed. And hey presto I added another 2 km's and I was now ranked 298,770 - 12,000 places better than a few hours earlier.

And here is the proof....

So what can you take from all this ...? 

1. Doing the right SMALL things the right way can make a BIG difference, in this case +12,000 places further up the list. What SMALL things make you say "Can't Be Arsed" but could actually pay BIG returns...?
2. Setting Targets help you focus and do more, in this case I knew I had signed up to 100 km so it got me out running in the last few days when I really wasn't in the mood. (Someone I know says if you want to get stuff done - Book a Holiday, cos people get so much done in the week before a holiday 😀 than any other time.)
3. It feels good when you achieve your targets, to be honest I struggled with the idea of doing 100 km in a month at first but with every step it got closer. Breaking in down into weeks etc.. made it more achievable. What monthly targets do you set..? Sales...? No. of Reviews..? Increasing your Average Sale...?
4. Building simple things into your normal routine is a smart way to get stuff done - in this case I walked to get the Take Away when driving was the easiest and more obvious answer. Example  - do you leaflet around jobs you are doing..? Do you update the Ops System so you know exactly what jobs you have to do - contact details, address....?

What things could you do to help push your business forward this month....?

If your aim is to be in the "Top 20" then maybe re-read the above and ask how any of this could be applied to me and my business and what action do I need to take.......